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Austin Healey Unknown Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Austin Healey Unknown car check

Is the Austin Healey Unknown reliable? We analysed 738 real MOT tests across 336 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 738 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
84.1%
Typical Mileage
28,364mi
Annual Mileage
316mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
67yrs

The Austin Healey Unknown is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake binding, brakes imbalanced across an axle axle 2 and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Austin Healey Unknown.

Austin Healey Unknown Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Austin Healey Unknown. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Austin Healey Unknown MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Austin Healey Unknown to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

86%
1959

Austin Healey Unknown Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Austin Healey Unknown fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

brake binding 8
Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 8
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 7
parking brake recording little or no effort 6
Headlamp not working on main beam 6
Brakes imbalanced across an axle 6
Headlamp aim too high 6

Austin Healey Unknown Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Austin Healey Unknown owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
109 mi/yr
Typical
316 mi/yr
Average
846 mi/yr
Heavy usage
652 mi/yr

Austin Healey Unknown MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Austin Healey Unknown year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1959 57 86.0% 662 12,844 63,459

How Long Does a Austin Healey Unknown Last?

Based on 336 Austin Healey Unknown vehicles on UK roads.

Average
44.2 years
Median
55.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
67 years

Austin Healey Unknown Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Austin Healey Unknown MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
28,364 mi
75th Percentile
63,135 mi
95th Percentile
90,732 mi
Max Recorded
99,247 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Austin Healey Unknown

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1959

86.0% MOT pass rate from 57 tests

The best year to buy a used Austin Healey Unknown is 1959, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.0% across 57 tests.

How Does the Austin Healey Unknown Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Austin Healey Unknown THIS CAR 84.1% 738 28,364 mi 67 yrs
Austin Healey 3000 85.3% 8,988 30,527 mi 67 yrs
Austin Healey Sprite 80% 8,300 31,410 mi 68 yrs
Husqvarna Te 250I 2018 87.1% 319 2,029 mi — yrs
Kia Stonic Gt-line Isg MHEV S-a 91.5% 1,404 20,739 mi — yrs

Compared to the Austin Healey 3000 (85.3% pass rate) and the Austin Healey Sprite (80.0% pass rate), the Austin Healey Unknown sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Austin Healey Unknown?

The Austin Healey Unknown has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.1% across 738 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Austin Healey Unknown are brake binding (8 recorded failures), brakes imbalanced across an axle axle 2 (8), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (7). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Austin Healey Unknown owner drives around 316 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Austin Healey Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 67 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Austin Healey Unknown — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Austin Healey Unknown reliable?
Based on 738 MOT tests, the Austin Healey Unknown has a 84.1% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Austin Healey Unknown?
The most common MOT failures are brake binding, brakes imbalanced across an axle axle 2, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Austin Healey Unknown do per year?
The typical Austin Healey Unknown does around 316 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Austin Healey Unknown last?
Most Austin Healey Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 67 years based on our analysis of 336 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Austin Healey Unknown?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Austin Healey Unknown?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Austin Healey Unknown is 1959 with a 86.0% pass rate across 57 tests.